Genetic marker test for lupus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a genetic testing method for diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a human subject. The method is related to amplifying nucleic acids from human tissue samples and detecting the presence or absence of variant alleles of a gene encoding poly(ADP-ribosyl)transferase expression (PARP), which are diagnostic of SLE or indicate a genetic predisposition for developing SLE. Also disclosed are useful oligonucleotide primers, primer sets and genetic testing kits for detecting a genetic predisposition for developing SLE.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. Ser. No. 09/280,181, filed on Mar. 29, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Throughout this application various publications are referenced within parentheses. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference in this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

[0003] 1. The Field of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to the medical arts. In particular, it relates to a method of detecting a genetic predisposition to systemic lupus erythematosus.

[0005] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0006] Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is an autoimmune rheumatic disease characterized by deposition in tissues of autoantibodies and immune complexes leading to tissue injury (B. L. Kotzin, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Cell 85:303-06 [1996]). In contrast to autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus, SLE potentially involves multiple organ systems directly, and its clinical manifestations are diverse and variable. (Reviewed by B. L. Kotzin and J. R. O'Dell, Systemic lupus erythematosus, In: Samler's Immunologic Diseases, 5th ed., M. M. Frank et al., eds., Little Brown & Co., Boston, pp. 667-97 [1995]).

[0007] For example, some patients may demonstrate primarily skin rash and joint pain, show spontaneous remissions, and require little medication. At the other end of the spectrum are patients who demonstrate severe and progressive kidney involvement that requires therapy with high doses of steroids and cytotoxic drugs such as cyclophosphamide. (B. L. Kotzin [1996]). The serological hallmark of SLE, and the primary diagnostic test available until now, is elevated serum levels of IgG antibodies to constituents of the cell nucleus, such as double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA), and chromatin. Among these autoantibodies, IgG anti-dsDNA antibodies play a major role in the development of lupus glomerulonephritis (GN). (B. H. Hahn and B. Tsao, Antibodies to DNA, In: Dubois Lupus Erythematosus, 4th ed., D. J. Wallace and B. Hahn, eds., Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, pp. 195-201 [1993]; Ohnishi et al., Comparison of pathogenic and nonpathogenic murine antibodies to DNA: Antigen binding and structural characteristics, Int. Immunol. 6:817-30 [1994]). Glomerulonephritis is a serious condition in which the capillary walls of the kidney's blood purifying glomeruli become thickened by accretions on the epithelial side of glomerular basement membranes. The disease is often chronic and progressive and may lead to eventual renal failure.

[0008] Mechanisms by which autoantibodies are induced remain unclear. Chromatin and/or nucleosomes, released by apoptotic cells in SLE, may become autoantigens that induce autoimmune responses, including antibodies to dsDNA. (R. W. Burlingame et al., The central role of chromatin in autoimmune responses to histones and DNA in systemic lupus erythematosus, J. Clin. Invest. 94:184-92 [1994]; C. Mohan et al., Nucleosome: a major immunogen for pathogenic autoantibody-inducing T cells of lupus, J. Exp. Med. 177:1367-81 [1993]; D. A. Bell et al., Immunogenic DNA-related factors. Nucleosomes spontaneously released from normal murine lymphoid cells stimulate proliferation and immunoglobulin synthesis of normal mouse lymphocytes, J. Clin. Invest. 85:1487-96 [1990]).

[0009] Cumulative studies suggest that interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors result in susceptibility to SLE, as is true for many multifactorial complex human diseases. (F. C. Arnett, Jr., The genetics of human lupus, In: Dubois' Lupus Erythematosus, 5th ed., D. J. Wallace and B. Hahn, eds., Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, pp. 77-117 [1997]; T. J. Vyse and B. L. Kotzin, Genetic susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus, Ann. Rev. Immunol. 16:261-92 [1998]). Although SLE can occur at nearly any age, it primarily affects women of childbearing age; the female to male ratio is greatest (>8:1) for patients presenting between ages 15 to 50 years; incidence rates for patients and studies in certain animal models support a role for estrogens enhancing disease development, and androgens protecting against it. (B. L. Kotzin [1996]). Although rare among males, SLE may be linked in males with functional hypoandrogenism and a higher than normal estradiol/testosterone ratio. (J. F. Sequeira et al., Systemic lupus erythematosus: sex hormones in male patients, Lupus 2(5):315-17 [1993]).

[0010] It appears that underlying genetic factors exert the greatest influence on autoantibody production and on predisposition to SLE, as studies of populations, segregation of disease in families, and twin concordance rates have consistently demonstrated. The prevalence of SLE in the general population is approximately 15-50 in 100,000. (M. D. Hochberg, The epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus, In: Dubois' Lupus Erythematosus, 5th ed., D. J. Wallace and B. Hahn, eds., Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, pp. 49-65 [1997]). The relatively high incidence (10-16%) of more than one case in a family has suggested a genetic basis for SLE. The concordance rate of SLE in monozygotic twins (24% -57%) is approximately ten times higher than the rate in dizygotic twins (2-5%). (F. C. Arnett, Jr. [1997]; M. D. Hochberg [1997]). Based on these epidemiological studies, the relative risk for siblings of SLE patients compared to the general population, λs, is at least 40-fold. (See, N. Risch, Assessing the role of HLA-linked and unlinked determinants of disease, Am. J. Hum. Genet. 40:1-14 [1987]).

[0011] The genetic basis for SLE in humans is complex, with an unknown but non-Mendelian mode of inheritance. This complexity has impeded the development of a reliable and predictive genetic test for SLE until the present invention.

[0012] Many investigators have reported that certain human MHC class II alleles (HLA-DR and/or DQ but not DP) and certain class III genes (C2, C4, TNFα, and HSP70-2 alleles) confer susceptibility to SLE in most ethnic groups studied. (F. C. Arnett, Jr., The genetics of human lupus, In: Dubois' Lupus Erythematosus, 5th ed., D. J. Wallace and B. Hahn, eds., Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, pp. 77-117[1997]; T. J. Vyse and B. L. Kotzin, Genetic susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus, Ann. Rev. Immunol. 16:261-92 [1998]). Among the other non-MHC genes that have been associated with SLE, evidence for homozygous deficiency of C1q predisposing to SLE is particularly compelling, including the observation that 90% of such individuals have SLE and C1q knockout mice display an SLE-like phenotype. (M. Botto et al., Homozygous C1q deficiency causes glomerulonephritis associated with multiple apoptotic bodies, Nat. Genet. 19:56-59 [1998]; P. Bowness et al., Hereditary C1q deficiency and systemic lupus erythematosus, Quart. J. Med. 87:455-64 [1994]).

[0013] In addition, polymorphisms in many genes encoding molecules with relevant immunological functions have been studied most frequently by the case-control approach, including T-cell receptor α and β chains, immunoglobulin allotypes, FcγRIIa, FcgRIIIa, IL-6, IL-10, Bcl-2, mannose-binding protein (or lectin), as well as deletion of specific variable gene segments of immunoglobulin genes. (F. C. Arnett, Jr. [1997]; T. J. Vyse and B. L. Kotzin [1998]; J. Wu et al., A novel polymorphism of FcγRIIIA, which alters function, associates with SLE phenotype, J. Invest. Med. 45:200A [1997]; R. Mehrian et al., Synergistic effect between IL-10 and Bcl-2 genotypes in determining susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus, Arthritis Rheum. 41:596-602 [1998]). Mutations in nucleic acids encoding T cell receptor zeta chain have been linked to SLE in some patients. (K. Tsuzaka et al., Mutations in T cell receptor zeta chain mRNA of peripheral T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients, J. Autoimmun. 11(5):381-85 [1998]). Some candidate genes may confer risk only to subsets of SLE patients. For example, FcγRIIA alleles (the gene encoding a 40-kD FcγR expressed on human mononuclear phagocytes and neutrophils) confer an increased risk for lupus GN in African Americans, but not in Caucasians, or persons of Afro-Caribbean or Chinese origin. (J. E. Salmon et al., FcγRIIA alleles are heritable risk factors for lupus nephritis in African-Americans, J. Clin. Invest. 97:1348-54 [1996]; M. Botto et al., FcγRIIA polymorphism in systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], Clin. Exp. Immunol. 104:264-68 [1996]).

[0014] Elements that complicate the study of disease-causing genes in genetically complex diseases, such as human SLE, include ethnic diversity, clinical heterogeneity (and presumably genetic heterogeneity), reduced penetrance (genetic expressivity), and the effect of environment (E. S. Lander and N. J. Schork, Genetic dissection of complex traits, Science 265:2037-48 [1994]). In contrast, murine models of spontaneous lupus in inbred strains are less complex, and consequently murine models of disease susceptibility provide a more accessible route for investigating genetically-linked disease in humans. Recent success in mapping a susceptibility locus for multiple sclerosis in the 5p14-p12 region, which is syntenic to the murine locus Ea2, further supports the utility of this mouse-to-human approach. (S. Kuokkanen et al., A putative vulnerability locus to multiple sclerosis maps to 5p14-p12 in a region syntenic to the murine locus Eae2, Nature Genet. 13:477-80 [1996]).

[0015] Genetic studies of murine SLE have identified susceptibility loci in several inbred strains which spontaneously develop SLE GN. (Reviewed in A. N. Theofilopoulus, The basis of autoimmunity: Part II. Genetic predisposition, Immunology Today 15:150-58 [1995]). These studies have included genome-wide searches for evidence of linkage using backcrosses or F₂ intercrosses of lupus mice such as MRL/LPR, NZB/NZW and NZM/Aeg2410 (M. L. Watson et al., Genetic analysis of MRL-lpr mice: Relationship of the Fas apoptosis gene to disease manifestations and renal disease-modifying loci, J. Exp. Med. 176:1645-56 [1992]; D. H. Kono et al., Lupus susceptibility loci in New Zealand mice, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91;10168-72 [1994];Drake et al., Analysis of the New Zealand Black contribution to lupus-like renal disease: multiple genes that operate in a threshold manner, J. Immunol. 154:241-47 [1995]; Drake et al., Genetic analysis of the NZB contribution to lupus-like autoimmune disease in [NZB×NZW]F ₁ mice, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:4062-66 [1994]; S. Hirose et al., Mapping of a gene for hypergammaglobulinemia to the distal region chromosome 4 in NZB mice and its contribution to systemic lupus erythematosus in [NZB×NZW]F ₁ mice, Internat. Immmunol. 12:1857-64 [1994]; L. Morel et al., Polygenic control of susceptibility to murine SLE, Immunity 1:219-229 [1994]). Four genomic intervals strongly linked to GN in mice derived from different parental strains have been identified in multiple studies at loci on chromosomes 1, 4, 7, and 17. The distal end of mouse chromosome 1 was shown to predispose to specific manifestations of SLE, including GN, IgG anti-chromatin antibodies, and splenomegaly. (D. H. Kono et al. [1994]; Drake et al. [1995]; L. Morel et al. [1994]).

[0016] There is evidence for a corresponding genetic linkage in human SLE. Using the identified murine susceptibility loci (the overlapping SLE/Nba2/Lbw7) as a guide, Tsao et al. examined seven markers located on a syntenic human chromosomal 1q31-q42 region, corresponding to the telomeric end of mouse chromosome 1, the latter being the region where contributions to specific manifestations of murine lupus, including glomerulonephritis and IgG anti-chromatin, have been mapped. (B. Tsao et al., Evidence for linkage of a candidate chromosome 1 region to human systemic lupus erythematosus, J. Clin. Invest. 99:725-731 [1997]). The seven markers were examined in 52 affected human sibpairs from Caucasian, Asian and African-American families. Five markers located in a 15 cM region of human chromosome 1q41-q42 showed evidence for linkage excessive by the allele sharing method (B. Tsao et al. [1997]; B. Tsao et al., The genetic basis of systemic lupus erythematosus, Proc. Assoc. Am. Physicians 110(2): 113-17 [Review March-April 1998]). Subsequently, an independent sample of 105 SLE-affected sibpairs also supported linkage of the 1q41-q42 region with SLE. (P. M. Gaffney et al., A genome-wide search for susceptibility genes in human systemic lupus erythematosus sib-pair families, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA [in press]).

[0017] The distance (>60 cM) between the 1q41-q42 region and the FcγRIIa gene (1q23) make it unlikely that this gene could account for the observed linkage between the 1q41-q42 region and SLE. A polymorphism for low expression of CR1 (complement receptor one, previously C3b/C4b receptor) has been suggested to be a risk factor for SLE (P. Cornillet et al., Increased frequency of the long (S) allotype of CR1 (the C3b/C4b receptor, CD35) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, Clin. Exp. Immunol. 89:22-25 [1992]), although a later study suggests that low CR1 expression is acquired. (A. Kumar et al., HindIII genomic polymorphism of the C3b receptor (CR1 in patients with SLE: low erythrocyte CR1 expression in acquired phenomenon, Immunol. Cell Biol. 73:457-62 [1995]). However, the CR1 gene maps to chromosome 1q32, and linkage disequilibrium at the 1q41-42 region, but not at the 1q31-32 region, make CR1 an unlikely candidate as a susceptibility gene for SLE. (B. Tsao et al. [1997]).

[0018] Within the human chromosomal 1q41-q42 region, there are three candidate genes for linkage with an SLE phenotype. One of these, HLX1, is expressed in hematopoietic progenitors and activated lymphocytes and encodes a homeo box protein which may regulate the development of CD4⁺ T-cells. (Y. Deguchi et al., A human homeobox gene, HB24, inhibits development of CD4⁺ T cells and impairs thymic involution in transgenic mice, J. Biol. Chem. 268:3646-53 [1993]). Another, TGFB2 (transforming growth factor beta-2) can suppress Il-2 dependent T-cell growth (R. Demartin et al., Complementary DNA for human glioblastoma-derived T cell suppressor factor, a novel member of the transforming growth factor-beta gene family, EMBO J. 6:3673-77 [1987]), and administration of a TGFβCDNA expression vector to MRL/lpr mice decreases serum IgG anti-chromatin and delays the onset of SLE. (E. Raz et al., Modulation of disease activity in murine systemic lupus erythematosus by cytokine gene delivery, Lupus 4:286). However, TGFB2 is not expressed in hematopoietic cells, and such expression is believed to be an essential link in the etiology of SLE.

[0019] The third candidate gene, PARP, sometimes referred to as ADPRT (ADP-ribosyltransferase gene), is induced by DNA damage and plays a role in cellular repair (P. Loetscher et al., Poly(ADP-ribose) may signal changing metabolic conditions to the chromatin of mammalian cells, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:1286-89 [1987]). Haug et al. reported that SLE patients and their family members have decreased poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism. (B. L. Haug et al., Altered poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism in family members of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, J. Rheum. 21:851-56 [1994]), which is evidence that PARP is linked to SLE.

[0020] The PARP gene encodes poly(ADP-ribosyl)transferase, also known as poly(ADP-ribosyl)polymerase, which is a zinc-finger DNA-binding protein that repairs DNA damage and is specifically cleaved during apoptosis. (B. Tsao et al., ADPRT alleles from the chromosome 1q41-q42 linked region are associated with SLE, Arthritis & Rheumatism 41(9)(Suppl.):283 [Abstract, Sept. 1998]). In their abstract, Tsao et al. reported that none of the tested alleles of HLX1 showed evidence for association with SLE phenotypes in a family-based linkage test applied to 124 families. However, a polymorphism within the PARP region was associated with SLE phenotype. This polymorphism was reported to be a dinucleotide repeat in the PARP promoter region.

[0021] There has been a need for a rapid and accurate genetic test for SLE. Previously available diagnostic tests for SLE are limited in their diagnostic effectiveness. Rheumatoid factors (RF), antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are among the most frequently used tests for the diagnosis and investigation of connective tissue disease, including SLE. However, positive predictive values for these diagnostic tests are reported to be low as to a diagnosis of SLE, albeit they may be more predictive for a subject having other clinical SLE symptoms from among the 11 revised SLE criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), such as a typical malar or discoid rash, photosensitivity, oral ulcers, arthritis, serositis, or disorders of blood, kidney or nervous system. (E. M Tan et al., The 1982 revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], Arthritis Rheum. 25:1271-77 [1982]; M. E. Suarez-Almazor et al., Utilization and predictive value of laboratory tests in patients referred to rheumatologists by primary care physicians, J. Rheumatol. 25(10);1980-85 [1998]; C. A. Slater et al., Antinuclear antibody testing. A study of clinical utility, Arch. Intern. Med. 156(13): 1421-25[1996]). The diagnostic utility of ELISA assay for the presence of anti-extractable nuclear antigen (anti-ENA) antibodies is limited to those patients that also test positive for both ANA and anti-dsDNA antibodies. (J. Sanchez-Guerrero et al, Utility of antiSm, anti-RNP, anti-Ro/SS-A, and anti-La/SS-B [extractable nuclear antigens] detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus, Arthritis Rheum. 39(6):1055-61 [1996]).

[0022] Unfortunately, a patient's presentation of clinical symptoms in SLE may be vague or idiopathic, easily mistaken for another disorder. For example, uncommon clinical manifestations associated with underlying SLE may include, acute pancreatitis, pure red cell aplasia, cystitis of the urinary tract, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, or neurological complications of normal pressure hydrocephalus. (K. P. Leong and M. L. Boey, Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] presenting as acute pancreatitis—a case report, Singapore Med. J. 37(3):323-24 [1996]; M. H. Tsai et al., Systemic lupus erythematosus with pure red cell aplasia: a case report, Chung Hua I Hsueh Tsa Chih [Taipei] 52(4):265-68 [1993]; Y. Nakauchi et al., Systemic lupus erythematosus relapse with lupus cystitis, Clin. Exp. Rheumatol. 13(5):645-48 [1995]; P. R. Mortifee et al., Communicating hydrocephalus in systemic lupus erythematosus with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, J. Rheumatol. 19(8):1299-1302 [1992]; H. Y. You et al., Normal pressure hydrocephalus in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report, Chung Hua I Hsueh Tsa Chih [Taipei] 61(9):551-55 [1998]; M. D. Uhl et al., Normal pressure hydrocephalus in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, J. Rheumatol. 17(2): 1689-91 [1990]).

[0023] Consequently, a genetic testing method for SLE has been needed that can be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests for SLE. This, and other advantages described herein, the present invention provides.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention relates to a genetic testing method for diagnosing the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus in a human subject. In particular, the claimed invention is directed to amplifying nucleic acids from a tissue sample of a human subject, analyzing or detecting the amplification products for the presence of a variant allele in PARP, the gene which encodes for expression of poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase. A variant allele of PARP is diagnostic of SLE in a human subject having symptoms of SLE or indicates a genetic predisposition for SLE in a subject who does not present SLE symptoms. The methods of the present invention provide a hitherto unavailable genetic test for susceptibility to this potentially life-threatening disease.

[0025] The method of the present invention relates to amplification of the nucleic acids in a human tissue sample using oligonucleotide primers specific for a nucleic acid sequence derived from the genomic sequence of human chromosome 1q41-q42 between microsatellite markers D1S2860 and D1S213. The present invention also relates to a genetic testing method for diagnosing SLE by amplifying nucleic acids having a variant allele in a PARP promoter region, for example, the 85 base pair or 97 base pair alleles, which are associated, respectively, with increased or decreased genetic susceptibility to SLE in subjects from diverse ethnic origins.

[0026] Another feature of the present invention are oligonucleotide primer sequences used for detecting a genetic susceptibility to SLE, a primer set with which to practice the present method, and a genetic testing kit comprising these primers or the primer set.

[0027] The present invention provides a rapid and accurate genetic test for SLE. It can be applied diagnostically in conjunction with other available diagnostic tests in suspected cases of SLE. The methods, primers, and genetic testing kits of the present invention can also be applied so that a person without any of the symptoms of SLE, but who is found to possess a genetic predisposition for SLE, can be treated to minimize his or her exposure to environmental risk factors in order to prevent the development of SLE.

[0028] These and other advantages and features of the present invention will be described more fully in a detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follows, and by way of the disclosures of U.S. Ser. No. 09/280,181, filed on Mar. 29, 1999, which are incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0029]FIG. 1 illustrates the results of multipoint linkage analysis of the chromosome 1q31-q42 region using the MAPMAKER/SIBS program. Positions of genetic markers relative to D1S510 are expressed in centiMorgans (cM) as the relative genetic distance shown in the x-axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] The present invention relates to a genetic testing method for diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus in a human subject. The present invention provides a hitherto unavailable genetic testing method for susceptibility to this potentially life-threatening disease. In particular, the claimed invention is directed to amplifying nucleic acids from a tissue sample of a human subject, analyzing or detecting the amplification products for the presence of a variant allele in PARP, a gene encoding for expression of poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase. A variant allele of PARP is diagnostic of SLE in a subject having clinical SLE symptoms or indicates a genetic predisposition for developing SLE in a subject who does not present SLE symptoms.

[0031] A PARP gene, for the purposes of the present invention, is a gene that encodes poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase. Poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase (E.C. 2.4.2.30) functions in the maintenance of genomic integrity; it is the only enzyme known to synthesizes ADP-ribose polymers from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) and is activated in response to DNA strand breaks. (W. M. Shieh et al., Poly(ADP-ribosyl)polymerase null mouse cells synthesize ADP-ribose polymers, J. Biol. Chem. 273(46):30069-72 [1998]). Poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase enzyme has been shown to stimulate DNA polymerase α by physical association and may form a complex with DNA polymerase α in vivo. (C. M. Simbulan et al., Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase stimulates DNA polymerase alpha by physical association, J. Biol. Chem. 268(1):93-99 [1993]). Activation of poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase requires both the DNA-binding capacity of the DNA-binding domain (“zinc fingers”) and the ability to maintain a conformation of the DNA-binding domain that can transfer an “activation signal” to the catalytic domain of the enzyme. (C. Trucco et al., Mutations in the amino-terminal domain of the human poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase that affect its catalytic activity but not its DNA-binding capacity, FEBS Lett. 399(3):313-16 [1996]).

[0032] The important physiologic function of poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase has been extensively studied by using specific inhibitors (3-aminobenzamide, 3-methoxybenzamide, or antisense RNA) and by studies of knockout mice. (P. A. Jeggo, DNA repair: PARP-another guardian angel?, Current Biol. 8:R49-R51 [1998]). Cumulative data have shown that the absence of poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase activity results in elevated spontaneous genetic rearrangements and hypersensitive responses to DNA damage, implying a substantial role for poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase in maintaining genomic stability. Although no gross defects in apoptosis are found in PARP knockout mice, splenocytes of these mice display a more rapid apoptotic response to an alkylating agent. Cell lines with disrupted PARP expression show insensitivity to apoptotic signals. (C. M. Simbulan-Rosenthal et al., Transient poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of nuclear proteins and role of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase in the early stages of apoptosis, J. Biol. Chem. 273: 13703-12 [1998]). While PARP has a regulatory role in induced apoptosis, impaired apoptosis is less detectable in whole animals than in cell lines, probably because of other compensatory routes within the organism.

[0033] The present invention is not committed to any particular mechanism by which altered PARP expression or various PARP alleles may produce symptoms of, or susceptibility to, SLE. However, it is hypothesized that the 85 bp allele of PARP, or other variant alleles of PARP, confers defective DNA repair and abnormal apoptosis, and thus predisposes to SLE. Further support for this hypothesis of the direct involvement of PARP gene product in SLE predisposition includes a lower than normal range of poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase activity in SLE patients, an intermediate range of activity in unaffected family members of SLE patients, and decreased levels of PARP mRNA transcripts in SLE patients. (S. L. Oei et al. [1997]; P. A. Jeggo [1998]). The specific examples provided herein demonstrate that PARP is a SLE susceptibility gene.

[0034] Human PARP is located on chromosome 1 at locus 1q41-q42. (H. Herzog et al., Human nuclear NAD ⁺ ADP-ribosyltransferase: localization of the gene on chromosome 1q41-q42 and expression of an active human enzyme in Escherichia coli, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86(10):3514-18 [1989]). More specifically, the PARP gene region is flanked by microsatellite markers D1S2860 and D1S213. (See FIG. 1)(C. Dib et al., A comprehensive genetic map of the human genome based on 5,264 microsatellites, Nature 380(6570): 152-54 [1996]). The PARP gene is 43 kb in length and is split into 23 exons. (B. Auer et al., Human nuclear NAD ⁺ ADP-ribosyltransferase: organization of the gene, DNA 8(8):575-80 [1989]). Each of the four metal coordinating sites forming the two “zinc fingers” of the poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase DNA-binding domain is encoded separately; the automodification and NAD⁺-binding domains are encoded by four and twelve exons, respectively. Nucleotide sequences of the entire human PARP genomic region are known, including nucleotide sequences defining regulatory and open reading frame regions. (H. Suzuki et al., Molecular cloning of cDNA for human poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase and expression of its gene during HL-60 cell differentiation, Biochem. Biophys. Res Commun. 146(2):403-09 [1987]; B. W. Cherney et al., cDNA sequence, protein structure, and chromosomal location of the human gene for poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84(23):8370-74 [1987]; T. Ogura et al., Characterization of a putative promoter region of the human poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase gene: structural similarity to that of the DNA polymerase beta gene, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 167(2):701-10 [1990]; Y. Yokoyama et al., Human poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase gene. Cloning of the promoter region, Eur. J. Biochem. 194(2):521-26 [1990]). Several restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the PARP gene are also known. (B. W. Cherney et al. [1987]).

[0035] Variant alleles of the PARP gene include mutations or polymorphisms of any class. Many variant alleles of PARP are known. These include several single point mutations that cause a loss of poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase catalytic activity. (C. Trucco et al., [1996]). But for purposes of the present invention, variant alleles of PARP are not limited to such single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Also included among variant alleles of PARP are deletion mutations, insertion mutations, inversions, translocations, transitions, tranversions, or repeats. An example, is the dinucleotide CA repeat that occurs in the 85 bp allele of a PARP promoter region; this dinucleotide repeat is located about 907 bp upstream from the transcription start site, near the binding site of the transcription factor Ying Yang 1. (S. L. Oei et al., Interaction of the transcription factor YY1 with human poly(ADP-ribosyl)transferase, Biochim. Biophys. Res. Comm. 240:108-11 [1997]).

[0036] Variant alleles of a PARP gene may be of any nucleotide sequence defining an open reading frame, or part thereof, that encodes any subunit of the catalytic or automodification domain, or the DNA-binding domain, or the NAD⁺-binding domain of poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase, or of any nucleotide sequence, or part thereof, defining a regulatory region of a PARP gene. A PARP regulatory region may include, but is not limited to, a promoter region, an enhancer, a termination sequence, or any other nucleotide sequence, or part thereof, that regulates the transcription of poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase protein. Any mutation or polymorphism in a PARP gene that results in a loss of PARP expression or a decrease in poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferase functional activity relative to a normal activity range, or which could do so if it were not masked by the presence in vivo of a fully functional PARP allele or by another compensatory physiologic mechanism, are contemplated by the present invention.

[0037] Any human tissue containing nucleic acids may be sampled and collected for the purpose of practicing the methods of the present invention. A most preferred and convenient tissue for collecting is blood. “Collecting a tissue sample” encompasses in vitro harvest of cultured human cells derived from a subject's tissue or any means of in vivo sampling directly from a subject, for example, by blood draw, spinal tap, tissue smear or tissue biopsy. Tissue samples may be stored before analysis by well known storage means that will preserve a sample's nucleic acids in an analyzable condition, such as quick freezing, or a controlled freezing regime, in the presence of a cryoprotectant, for example, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol, or propanediol-sucrose. Tissue samples may also be pooled before or after storage for purposes of amplifying them for analysis.

[0038] For purposes of the present invention “amplifying nucleic acids” from a tissue sample of a subject “to obtain amplification products” encompasses any conventional means of amassing sufficient nucleic acid material for analysis. This includes, but is not limited to, amplification by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Alternatively, the practitioner can amplify the human subject's nucleic acids by in vitro cell culture and harvest of the subject's cultured cells, or by multiple sampling from the subject's tissues in vivo and pooling of multiple tissue samples from a subject. Nucleic acids thus “amplified,” if they comprise a PARP gene or a part thereof, are “amplification products” for purposes of the present invention.

[0039] In a most preferred embodiment of the present method, PCR is used for amplifying the subject's nucleic acids, particularly from a PARP region. Briefly, a thermal resistant DNA polymerase (e.g., Taq polymerase), and PARP-specific primers are employed to amplify the genomic DNA to produce PARP gene-specific amplification products. If PCR is used, any combination of oligonucleotide primers that will amplify nucleic acid sequences of a PARP region, or parts thereof, can be employed. Useful primer sequences are readily available, for example, from the GenBank database. Most preferably, amplification of the subject's nucleic acids can be achieved using a set of oligonucleotide primers comprising a 5′ (forward) primer sequence GAT TCC CCA TCT CTC TTT CTT T (SEQ. ID. NO.:1) or a 3′ (reverse) primer sequence AAA TTG TGG TAA TGA CTG CA (SEQ. ID. NO.:2), or a fragment of either of these at least 18 nucleotides long. But also preferred in practicing the inventive method is any other embodiment of the inventive primer set as described hereinbelow.

[0040] A primer set of the present invention, for detecting in a human subject a genetic susceptibility to SLE, functions to initiate nucleic acid synthesis in PCR from both the 5′ and 3′ ends of a nucleic acid template comprising a PARP region or part thereof The primer set of the present invention comprises any two suitable oligonucleotide primers of the present invention as described above. In a most preferred embodiment, a primer set of the present invention comprises primers having (SEQ. ID. NOS.:1 and 2), or fragments thereof each at least 18 nucleotides long. But also preferred is a primer set having a forward primer sequence, of about 15 to about 30 nucleotides in length, corresponding to a PARP-specific sequence of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5) entirely 5′ to nucleotide position 846 of the Ogura et al. PARP reference sequence (SEQ. ID. NO.:5; Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 167(2):701-710 [1990]), and a reverse primer sequence, of about 15 to about 30 nucleotides in length, corresponding by complementarity to a PARP-specific sequence of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5) entirely 3′ to nucleotide position 869 of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5), such that a detectable PARP-specific amplification product can be produced in the PCR reaction mixture when genomic DNA containing the PARP gene is present in the sample.

[0041] PARP-specific polynucleotides are determined by base sequence similarity or homology to (SEQ. ID. NO.:5). Base sequence homology is determined by conducting a base sequence similarity search of a genomics data base, such as the GenBank database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI; www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/), using a computerized algorithm, such as PowerBLAST, QBLAST, PSI-BLAST, PHI-BLAST, gapped or ungapped BLAST, or the “Align” program through the Baylor College of Medicine server (www.hgsc.bcm.tmc.edu/seq_data). (E.g., Altchul, S. F., et al., Gapped BLAST and PSI-BLAST: a new generation of protein database search programs, Nucleic Acids Res. 25(17):3389-402 [1997]; Zhang, J., & Madden, T. L., PowerBLAST: a new network BLAST application for interactive or automated sequence analysis and annotation, Genome Res. 7(6):649-56 [1997]; Madden, T. L., et al., Applications of network BLAST server, Methods Enzymol. 266:131-41 [1996]; Altschul, S. F., et al., Basic local alignment search tool, J. Mol. Biol. 215(3):403-10 [1990]). Preferably, a PARP-specific polynucleotide sequence is at least 5 to about 30 contiguous nucleotides long, more preferably at least 6 to 15 contiguous nucleotides long, and most preferably at least 7 to 10 contiguous nucleotides long.

[0042] A genetic testing kit of the present invention, for detecting in a human subject a genetic susceptibility to SLE, is a ready assemblage of materials for facilitating amplifying nucleic acids from a human subject comprising PARP nucleotide sequences and/or analyzing or detecting PARP-derived amplification products. A genetic testing kit of the present invention comprises at least one oligonucleotide primer of the present invention and preferably comprises a primer set of the present invention, together with instructions for the practice of the methods of the present invention. The materials or components assembled in the present genetic testing kits can be provided to the practitioner stored in any convenient and suitable ways that preserve their operability and utility. For example the components can be in dissolved, dehydrated, or lyophilized form; they can be provided at room, refrigerated or frozen temperatures.

[0043] A most preferred embodiment of the genetic testing kit of the present invention comprises a primer set having (SEQ. ID. NOS.:1 and 2), or fragments thereof each at least 18 nucleotides long, together with instructions for practicing the present method.

[0044] A preferred embodiment of the genetic testing kit of the present invention can incorporate an array of oligonucleotide primers specific for SNPs in human PARP, preassembled in a “DNA chip” (or “gene chip”) configuration for facilitating the amplifying of nucleic acids and the analyzing or detecting of amplification products. (E.g., J. G. Hacia et al., Enhanced high density oligonucleotide array-based sequence analysis using modified nucleoside triphosphates, Nucleic Acids Res. 26(2):4975-82 [1998]; R. W. Wallace, DNA on a chip: serving up the genome for diagnostics and research, Mol. Med. Today 3(9):384-89 [1997]; T. Pastinen et al., Minisequencing: a specific tool for DNA analysis and diagnostics on oligonucleotide arrays, Genome Res. 7(6):606-14 [1997]; M. T. Cronin et al., Cystic fibrosis mutation detection by hybridization to light-generated DNA probe arrays, Hum. Mutat. 7(3):244-55 [1996]; A. C. Pease et al., Light-generated oligonucleotide arrays for rapid DNA sequence analysis, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91(11):5022-26 [1994]; E. M. Southern et al., Arrays of complementary oligonucleotides for analyzing the hybridisation behaviour of nucleic acids, Nucleic Acids Res. 22(8):1368-73 [1994]).

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, nucleotide sequencing of PARP can be used to analyze the amplification products of the nucleic acids in a human subject's tissue sample to detect a variant allele in a PARP gene. A variant allele of PARP can be detected by any nucleotide sequencing means, for example conventional dideoxy sequencing or preferably by using a commercially available automated sequencer, then by comparing the subject's nucleotide sequences to other known human PARP sequences available in genomic sequence databases, such as GenBank.

[0046] In a most preferred embodiment of the present method that employs nucleotide sequencing, sequencing of PARP may be accomplished by using fluorescence-based single strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP), a routine and reliable means of identifying point mutations, small insertions or deletions. (J. S. Ellison, Fluorescence-based mutation detection. Single-strand conformationpolymorphism analysis [F-SSCP], Mol Biotechnol. 5(1):17-31 [1996]; H. Iwahana et al., Multiple fluorescence-based PCR-SSCP analysis using internal fluorescent labeling of PCR products, Biotechniques 21(3):510-14, 516-19 [1996]; R. Makino et al., F-SSCP: fluorescence-based polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism [PCR-SSCP], PCR Methods Appl. 2(1):10-13 [1992]). An automated system may be used, such as an Applied Biosystems DNA sequencer, equipped with GENESCAN 672, Genetyper, or another appropriate analytical software package.

[0047] Optionally, high throughput analysis is achieved by PCR multiplexing techniques well known in the art. (E.g., Z. Lin et al., Multiplex genotype determination at a large number of gene loci, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93(6):2582-87 [1996]).

[0048] In another preferred embodiment of the present method, nucleotide sequencing is unnecessary for analyzing or detecting the amplification products. For example, heteroduplex analysis on high resolution gel matrices can be employed by the skilled practitioner to detect even single nucleotide polymorphisms. (M. T. Hauser et al., Generation of co-dominant PCR-based markers by duplex analysis on high resolution gels, Plant. J. 16(1):117-25 [1998]). The PCR/OLA procedure can be used for analyzing or detecting amplification products to detect SNPs in PARP. (B. R. Glick and J. J. Pasternak, Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and Applications of Recombinant DNA, ASM Press, Washington, D.C., pp. 197-200 [1994]). Conformation-sensitive gel electrophoresis of amplification products can also be employed as a means of analysis by the skilled artisan in practicing the methods of the present invention. (A. Markoff et al., Comparison of conformation-sensitive gel electrophoresis and single strand conformation polymorphism analysis for detection of mutations in the BRCA1 gene using optimized conformation analysis protocols, Eur. J. Genet. 6(2): 145-50 [1998]).

[0049] A skilled practitioner will know that electrophoresis for analyzing or detecting amplification products is done rapidly and with high sensitivity by using any of various methods of conventional slab or capillary electrophoresis, with which the practitioner can optionally choose to employ any facilitating means of nucleic acid fragment detection, including, but not limited to, the use of radionuclides, biotin, UV-absorbance or laser-induced fluorescence. (K. Keparnik et al., Fast detection of a (CA) 18 microsatellite repeat in the Ig E receptor gene by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection, Electrophoresis 19(2);249-55 [1998]; H. Inoue et al., Enhanced separation of DNA sequencing products by capillary electrophoresis using a stepwise gradient of electric field strength, J. Chromatogr. A. 802(1): 179-84 [1998]; N. J. Dovichi, DNA sequencing by capillary electrophoresis, Electrophoresis 18(12-13):2393-99 [1997]; H. Arakawa et al., Analysis of single-strand conformation polymorphisms by capillary electrophoresis with laser inducedfluorescence detection, J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 15(9-10):1537-44 [1997]; Y. Baba, Analysis of disease-causing genes and DNA-based drugs by capillary electrophoresis. Towards DNA diagnosis and gene therapy for human diseases, J. Chromatgr B. Biomed. Appl. 687(2):271-302 [1996]; K. C. Chan et al., High-speed electrophoretic separation of DNA fragments using a short capillary, J. Chromatogr B. Biomed. Sci. Appl. 695(1):13-15 [1997]).

[0050] For example, in a most preferred embodiment using a primer set containing SEQ. ID. NOS.:1 and 2 to amplify the nucleic acids, the presence of an 85 bp fragment (the 85 bp allele) is associated with a diagnosis of SLE or an increased genetic susceptibility to developing SLE in subjects of diverse ethnic origins. (See Table 2). Another example is a 97 bp fragment, product of PCR amplification using the same primer set, which indicates the 97 bp allele and is associated with decreased genetic susceptibility to SLE. Consequently, the absence of a 97 bp fragment indicates an increased genetic predisposition to develop SLE.

[0051] Any of diverse fluorescent dyes are optionally used to label primers or amplification products for ease of analysis, including but not limited to, SYBR Green I, YO-PRO-1, thiazole orange, Hex (i.e., 6-carboxy-2′,4′,7′,4,7-hexachlorofluoroscein), FAM (i.e., 6-carboxyfluorescein), or TET (i.e., 4,7,2′,7′-tetrachloro-6-carboxyfluoroscein). (E.g., J. Skeidsvoll and P. M. Ueland, Analysis of double-stranded DNA by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection using the monomeric dye SYBR green I, Anal. Biochem. 231(20):359-65 [1995]; H. Iwahana et al., Multiple fluorescence-based PCR-SSCP analysis using internal fluorescent labeling of PCR products, Biotechniques 21(30:510-14, 516-19 [1996]).

[0052] Analyzing or detecting the amplification products can also be done by means of restricting the amplification products with one or more restriction enzymes, followed by separation of the resulting fragments and analysis of fragment length or differential fragment migration in denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) or gel electrophoresis, as above, including restriction-capillary electrophoresis. For example, this may be achieved by techniques known in the art, such as PCR-restriction fragment-SSCP, which can detect single base substitutions, deletions or insertions. (M. Tawata et al., A mass screening device of genome by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, Genet. Anal. 12(3-4):125-27 [1996]; H. H. Lee et al., Mutational analysis by a combined application of the multiple restriction fragment-single strand conformation polymorphism and the direct linear amplification DNA sequencing protocols, Anal. Biochem. 205(2);289-93 [1992]).

[0053] “Genetic predisposition” or “susceptibility” to SLE, or to develop SLE, means that a human subject having such a predisposition or susceptibility possesses an hereditary inclination or tendency to develop SLE. This does not mean that such a person will actually develop SLE at any time, merely that he or she has a greater likelihood of developing SLE compared to the general population of individuals that is not homozygous or heterozygous for a variant allele of a PARP gene or does not possess a PARP genotype or polymorphism associated with increased SLE risk.

[0054] The present invention provides a rapid and accurate genetic test for predicting susceptibility to SLE. It can be applied diagnostically in conjunction with other diagnostic tests in suspected cases of SLE to confirm a diagnosis of SLE. Previously available diagnostic tests for SLE are limited in their diagnostic effectiveness. Therefore, the methods, primers, primer sets, and genetic testing kits of the present invention provide a useful genetic test for SLE that significantly enhances the existing diagnostic armamentarium for SLE.

[0055] In addition, it is contemplated that the genetic testing methods, oligonucleotide primers, primer sets, or genetic testing kits of the present invention can be used therapeutically to detect and treat SLE patients with specific variant alleles of PARP. These variant alleles can be targeted for gene therapy directed at repairing malfunctional PARP alleles or they may suggest specific chemotherapy directed to enhancing endogenous poly(ADP-ribosyl)transferase activity or may be directed to other metabolic targets in biochemical pathways mediated by poly(ADP-ribosyl)transferase activity.

[0056] The methods, primers, primer sets, and genetic testing kits of the present invention are superior to previously available diagnostic tools for SLE, because the present invention can be applied so that a person not presenting symptoms of SLE, but who is found to possess a genetic predisposition for developing SLE, can be treated prophylactically or can make lifestyle changes to minimize his or her exposure to environmental risk factors in order to prevent the development of SLE. A person seeking genetic testing for this purpose is likely to be one with a known family history of SLE, but the genetic testing methods of the present invention are equally applicable to healthy individuals without any known family history of SLE.

[0057] The prophylactic value of genetic testing for a genetic predisposition for developing SLE can be related to a variety of environmental and physiological risk factors. For example, exposure to sunlight is a risk factor for precipitating SLE. (I. Krause et al., Seasons of the year and activity of SLE and Behcet's disease, Scand. J. Rheumatol. 26(6):435-391997]). The ultraviolet radiation in sunlight may cause damage to nuclear DNA in skin cells, resulting in apoptosis in keratinocytes, that may lead to SLE. (L. Casciola-Rosen and A. Rosen, Ultraviolet light-induced keratinocyte apoptosis: a potential mechanism for the induction of skin lesions and autoantibody production in LE, Lupus 6(2):175-80 [1997]; F. Nyberg et al., Early detection of epidermal dust-like particles in experimentally UV-induced lesions in patients with photosensitivity and lupus erythematosus, Acta Derm. Venereol. 78(3): 177-79 [1998]; T. Hasan et al., Photosensitivity in lupus erythematosus, UV photoprovocation results compared with history of photosensitivity and clinical findings, Br. J. Dermatol. 136(5):699-705 [1997]; L. C. Korb and J. M. Ahearn, C1q binds directly and specifically to surface blebs of apoptotic human keratinocytes: complement deficiency and systemic lupus erythematosus revisited, J. Immunol. 158(10):4525-28 [1997]). Persons who are found, through the use of methods, primers, primer sets, or genetic testing kits of the present invention, to have a predisposition for developing SLE can be advised of their particular need to minimize or avoid exposure to sunlight in order to lower SLE risk.

[0058] Also, estrogen exposure, another environmental risk factor for SLE (B. L. Kotzin [1996]), can be minimized for menopausal women who are found to have a genetic predisposition to develop SLE. Women with naturally or surgically induced menopause commonly receive estrogen replacement therapy to relieve the symptoms of ovarian hormone deficiency, including vasomoter instability and osteoporosis. Menopausal women with a known genetic predisposition to develop SLE, as detected by the methods of the present invention, can avoid standard estrogen replacement therapy, perhaps in favor of alternative hormone replacement therapies, for example, various hormone replacement combinations or alternative androgen replacement therapies known in the art. Thus, information, provided by practicing the present invention, that a genetic predisposition to develop SLE exists in a particular woman, can help that women minimize or avoid estrogen exposure in order to lower SLE risk.

[0059] At least in some Asian populations, a history of menstrual irregularity is reported to be a risk factor for SLE. (Y. Minami et al., Female systemic lupus erythematosus in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan: a case-control study of dietary and reproductive factors, Tohoku J. Exp. Med. 169(3):245-52 [1993]). By using the methods of the present invention to find a genetic predisposition for developing SLE, a more informed decision can be made whether to prescribe a premenopausal woman with both this risk factor, and a predisposition for SLE, appropriate hormonal therapy to regularize her period.

[0060] Similarly, because frequent intake of fatty meat, such as beef or pork, is associated with increased SLE risk, at least in some populations (Y. Minami et al.[1993]), knowledge that a particular woman has a genetic predisposition to develop SLE, can inform the practitioner to prescribe a preventative change in diet for that woman.

[0061] Also, results obtained through practicing the methods of the present invention can be used in genetic counseling to provide useful information to persons considering their reproductive options. A couple in which one or both of the partners is found to be homozygous or heterozygous for a variant allele of PARP, such as, but not limited to, the 85 bp allele of the PARP promoter region, can consider this fact in making informed reproductive choices with respect to SLE risk affecting their future offspring. For example, as determined in the detailed examples below, the risk of developing SLE with one 85 bp allele compared to having none is 2.3 while it is 4.0 with two 85 bp alleles. Such information can be factored by those skilled in the art of genetic counseling, when calculating the SLE risk for offspring.

[0062] The foregoing applications for the methods, oligonucleotide primers, primer sets, and genetic testing kits of the present invention are illustrative and by no means exhaustive. The invention will now be described in greater detail by reference to the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES

[0063] Susceptibility to SLE is Linked to PARP Alleles.

[0064] Tsao et al. [1997] had analyzed, for linkage to SLE, 7 microsatellite markers present on the human chromosomal region (1q31-q42) corresponding to the telomeric end of mouse chromosome 1, the latter being the region where contributions to specific manifestations of murine lupus, including glomerulonephritis and IgG anti-chromatin. A linkage analysis of 51 sibpairs (from three ethnic groups) fulfilling 1982 American College of Rheumatology criteria for SLE showed an increased sharing of markers and haplotypes when compared to the expected random distribution (p<0.01 by a goodness-of-fit χ²). Separate analyses of these 7 markers, comparing the mean marker sharing of each to the expected value of 0.50, resulted in no evidence for linkage with the two markers present on 1q31-q32 while the five markers located at 1q41-q42 showed significantly increased marker sharing (p=0.0005-0.08). Also, the quantitative trait, IgG anti-chromatin, showed linkage to one of the five markers (p=0.04) and the combined marker haplotype (p<0.06), evidence that the phenotypic consequences of this susceptibility locus are conserved between mice and humans.

[0065] Within the 1q41-q42 human chromosomal region, there are no recognized immunologic candidate genes to account for these results. Therefore, the 1q41-q42 region was examined for SLE susceptibility gene(s), as detailed in the following examples.

Example 1 Human Subjects

[0066] This study was approved by the Human Subject protection Committee of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). These families were recruited at UCLA, and at other collaborating sites including the University of Texas, Houston (FCA; the Zentralkrankenhaus Reinkenheide in Bremerhaven, Germany (KH), and Ottawa General Hospital in Canada (RG). Simplex families were mainly recruited through UCLA rheumatologists to include SLE patients, their parents, and other sibs if available. Medical records for SLE patients were either reviewed by UCLA rheumatologists or were provided by the patients' rheumatologists in the form of completed checklists, and the checklist information was then entered into the UCLA database. This database was used for classification of patients as SLE (requiring at least 4 of the 11 American College of Rheumatology Classification criteria). (E. M. Tan et al., Special article. The 1982 revised criteria for the classification of SLE, Arthritis Rheum. 25:1271-7 [1982]). Siblings of SLE patients who had no positive responses in the Connective Tissue Screening Questionnaire (W. E. Karlson et al., A connective tissue disease screening questionnaire for population studies, Ann. Epidemiol. 5:297-302 [1995]) were classified as unaffected sibs. Multiplex families were recruited by ascertaining nuclear families for two or more SLE patients which were extended to include parents and other siblings.

[0067] The subject sample included 78 SLE-affected sibpairs from Caucasian, Asian, and African-American families. All participating members (77 parents, 134 affected and 89 unaffected siblings) were genotyped using 14 microsatellite markers within a 30 cM region (FIG. 1) containing the 15 cM region of human chromosome 1q41-q42.

Example 2 Genotyping

[0068] Human genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood cells. Microsatellite markers at or near the specific candidate chromosomal region were selected based on the composite map accessible at cedar.genetics.soton.ac.uk/pub/chroml/gmap. The primers for these marker were purchased from Research Genetics, Inc. (Huntsville, Ala.). Microsatellite genotyping was determined by scoring the size of PCR products. PCR was performed in a 96-well plate using a thermocycler which was programmed for 95° C. for 1 min, 58° C. for 30 s, and 72° C. for 1 min, with 25 cycles. The labeled PCR products were denatured and separated on a sequencing gel of 5% polyacrylamide and 6 M urea.

[0069] To determine genotypes of PARP, we used the 5′ oligonucleotide primer sequence 5′-GAT TCC CCA TCT CTC TTT CTT T-3′ (SEQ. ID. NO.:1) tagged with the fluorescent dye 6FAM and the 3′ oligonucleotide primer sequence 5′-AAA TTG TGG TAA TGA CTG CA-3′ (SEQ. ID. NO.:2). The PCR condition for this polymorphism was 30 cycles of 93° C. for 1 min, 56° C. for 30 s, and 72° C. for 1 min plus a final extension of 72° C. for 5 min. For the intronic dinucleotide repeat of HLXI, the 5′ oligonucleotide primer sequence was 5′-TTC ACA CAA GTT CCA GCT TCC CTT-3′ (SEQ. ID. NO.:3) tagged with the fluorescent dye TET, and the 3′ oligonucleotide primer sequence was 5′-TGC TGT CTC TGT TTC TTT CTG ACC-3′ (SEQ. ID. NO.:4). The HLXI PCR condition was 10 cyles of 94° C. for 15 s, 55° C. for 15 s, and 72° C. for 30 s, then followed by 20 cycles of 89° C. for 15 s, 55° C. for 15 s and 72° C. for 30 s with a final extension at 72° C. for 10 min. For these two candidate genes, PCR mixture contained 40 ng genomic DNA, 20 mM Tris-HCL pH8.0, 2 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM KCl, 6 mM (NH₄)₂SO₄, 0.1% Triton X-100, 10 μg/ml BSA, 0.5 Units of native Pfu DNA polymerase (Stratagene, San Diego, Calif.), 200 μM dNTP, and 0.2 μM primers in 5 μl reaction. Aliquots of fluorescent PCR products were electrophoresed using a 377 Prism ABI sequencer (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) and analyzed by GeneScan and Genotyper programs.

Example 3 Data Analysis

[0070] Multipoint linkage analysis of 14 microsatellite markers in the chromosome 1q31-42 region and the SLE phenotype (affected or unaffected) was conducted on nuclear families using the MAPMAKERS/SIBS program (L. Kruglyak and E. S. Lander, Complete multipoint sib-pair analysis of qualitative and quantitative traits, Am. J. Hum. Genet. 57:439-54 [1995]) on a SUN ultra 60 workstation with a UNIX operating system. The program simultaneously uses information at multiple markers in a region to estimate the expected proportions of sib pairs selected for a disorder sharing 0, 1 and 2 alleles identical-by-descent for points along the chromosomal region. A lod score is generated by taking the log of the likelihood of the estimated allele sharing proportion compared to the theoretical likelihood of no linkage to the region. All markers except HLX1 were used in this analysis. The heuristic guideline of one lod below the peak value was used to identify a confidence interval of 5 cM for the location of the SLE susceptibility gene.

[0071] The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT; R. S. Spielman et al., Transmission test for linkage disequilibrium of the insulin gene region and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM], Am. J. Hum. Genet. 52:506-16 [1993]) can detect an allelic association with disease in the presence of linkage with the disease. The method involves assessing the transmission of alleles from heterozygous parents to their affected offspring, and testing whether there is evidence that the probability of transmitting the alleles at a marker is different than 0.5 for each allele. The Extended TDT (ETDT; P. C. Sham and D. Curtis, An extended transmission/disequilibrium test [TDT]for multi-allele marker loci, Ann. Hum. Genet. 59:323-336 [1995]), which uses a logistic regression approach to test all alleles at a marker for deviation from a 0.5 transmission probability simultaneously has been used (software provided by the program authors). When a deviation is detected in the overall test it examines each allele separately for a deviation from a 0.5 probability of transmission. The eldest affected individual has been used from each of the nuclear families, as due to linkage with the region, other affected sibs from the same families are not independent of those in this sample.

[0072] The relative risk for the 85 bp allele identified by the ETDT at the PARP was assessed using a method described by Weinberg et al. (C. R. Weinberg et al., A log-linear approach to case-parent-triad data: assessing effects of disease genes that act either directly or through maternal effects and that may be subject to parental imprinting, Am. J. Hum. Genet. 62:969-78 [1998]). Poisson regression analysis was applied to data on the numbers of parent-child triads observed among the eldest affected offspring with at least one parent heterozygous for the 85 bp allele. The risk of developing SLE with one or two 85 bp alleles were estimated by using the GENMOD procedure of the statistical Analysis Stems (SAS) package of computer programs.

Example 4 Results

[0073] As shown in FIG. 1, multi-point linkage analysis on the current sample using the model-free MAPMAKER/SIBS program identified a peak with a lod score of 3.3 and narrowed the region of interest to approximately 5 cM between microsatellite markers D1S2860 and D1S213.

[0074] There were 12 PARP alleles detected in our cohort of 124 multiplex and simplex families. When data from the four most frequent alleles of PARP were analyzed by the multiallelic TDT, the overall skewing of transmission to affected offspring was evident in the combined sample containing all ethnic groups (p=0.00008) as well as individually in the Caucasian sample (p=0.003) (Table 1). Other ethnic groups were too small in number for valid analysis. TABLE 1 Skewed transmission of all analyzed PARP alleles. p-value Groups affected offspring unaffected offspring All ethnic groups combined 0.00008 0.02 Caucasians 0.003 0.08

[0075] Results of a TDT analysis of the four most frequent alleles showed that the 85 bp allele of PARP was preferentially transmitted to affected offspring (transmission:non-transmission=65:29, p=0.0002) and preferentially not transmitted to unaffected offspring (transmission:non-transmission=25:50, p=0.004) (Table 2). The risk of developing SLE with one 85 bp allele compared to having none is 2.3. while it is 4.0 with two 85 bp alleles. The 85 bp allele or polymorphism is a CA repeat located about 907 bp upstream of the transcription start site. (See T. Ogura et al. [1990]). Results of a TDT analysis of the four most frequent alleles showed that the 85 bp allele of PARP was preferentially transmitted to affected offspring (transmission:non-transmission=65:29, p=0.0002) and preferentially not transmitted to unaffected offspring (transmission:non-transmission=25:50, p=0.004) (Table 2). The risk of developing SLE with one 85 bp allele compared to having none is 2.3. while it is 4.0 with two 85 bp alleles. The 85 bp allele or polymorphism is characterized by a twelve-fold CA dinucleotide repeat sequence located upstream of the transcription start site, which start site (designated position +1 in Ogura et al. [1990], italic “t”) is at position 1777 of the Ogura reference sequence (SEQ. ID. NO.:5), as described by Ogura et al. (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 167(2):701-710 [1990]). Thus, when the 85 bp allele is present, a 24-bp nucleotide sequence 5′-cacacacacacacacacacacaca-3′ (SEQ. ID. NO.:6, bold) is detectable in the PARP genomic sequence and in the amplification products, which CA dinucleotide repeat sequence corresponds to nucleotide positions 846 through 869 of the Ogura reference sequence (SEQ. ID. NO.:5), which is consecutive nucleotide positions −908 through −931 in relation to the transcription start site (+1), as described in Ogura et al. The Ogura et al. reference sequence (SEQ. ID. NO.:5; GenBank Accession X16674.1; GL:510112) is the following: 1 tttagggatg atatagttgt caacccagag atggcatgat catgcctttt gacttggtca (SEQ. ID. NO.:5) 61 ttctctaagt aaaactttta tttgttccat catattttcc acttattctg tttaccttca 121 aaatatcttt tttttttttt tttgagacag ggtcacactg tcacccaggc tagagtccag 181 tggcactatc atggctcacc acagcctcaa ccttcagggc tcaggtgatc ctcccacttc 241 agcctcccga gtagatggga ctacaggcac ctgccaccac ccccagctaa tttttgtaga 301 gacaaggttt tgccatgttg tccaggctgg tcttgaactc ctgggctcaa gggatccggc 361 cacctcagcc tcccaaagtg ctaggattat aggcatgagc cactgtgccc agcctacctt 421 caacgtatct aactggttac taacttttag gattcggcct atgtctcaca accttcttgc 481 ttactcaaca tccttgtctc ttaagccact agcttcttct ctatggttaa cactttttat 541 gagttttatt catctgctta tttttcttat cctctatacc agaattgaat attttcaaat 601 aaagcacact catgttacaa tctttgaaat ggaaaaaaaa aatgcatagg attagaaaag 661 aaaccaattt taataaacta tattttgaag tatagttcta tattaaacaa caagatctag 721 gccaggtgca gtggctcatg cctgtaatcc cagcaatttg ggaagtcgag gtgggaggat 781 tgcttgaggc caggggttca agaccagcct gggcaacatg gagagattcc ccatctcttt 841 ctttacacac acacacacac acacacacaa aatatctgat agcaacaggt gcagtcatta 901 ccacaatttc gagtagtgat gagcttaata atatttcgag ttatcaccaa caactgtaaa 961 ctaacatgaa aacgtctgtg atgactattg cccacaaagt cacaggtact gctaatactc 1021 ctggtatttg tagtaaattc ataataaagg aaatgctagg tttcagttgg tattttgtcc 1081 cgacggtctg tggacggcag gttagaacgc ccgtccaagc caggagggtg gacctagcac 1141 tgcagggtcc acctcgggcc aatcaactat attcccgagg cgggggcctg cgcttcccgg 1201 acccagctgc cctcagggga gagaggacac acttaagagt ttggggccgg cgtggtagct 1261 catgcccctg atcccagcac ttcgggaggc tgaggcgtga agatcacttg tagcaggagt 1321 ttgagaccag tctagccaac ttggcgagac cctgtcccta aaaaaaattt ttttttaatt 1381 agccagttgt ggtgagcgcc tgtagtccca gctactcggg aggctgaggt gggaggatcg 1441 ctgggctcag gagttccaga ctgcagtgag ccatgatggc ggcactgcac tccagcgcgg 1501 tgagactcag tctcaaaaat aaaaggggga ggggttgggg gtaaaattag ttgtgaaatc 1561 aagtaagact tcctgggaca gaacaatcaa aggggtggcg ccgggtcctc caaagagcta 1621 ctagctcagc ccaagccccg cctcggcccc cagggcagcg gccgcagagc tccacccggc 1681 aggcgcccgg gaaactccgc cccccggccg gcagggcgcg cgcccgccgg ccccgccccg 1741 tggacgcggg ttccgtggcg ttcccgcggc caggcatcag caatctatca gggaacggcg 1801 gtggccggtg cggcgtgttc ggtgcgctct ggccgctcag ccgtggcggc tgggtgagcg 1861 cacgcgaggc ggcgaggcgg caagcgtgtg tttctaggtc gtggcgtcgg gcttccggag 1921 ctttggcggc agctagggga ggatggcgga gtcttcggat aagctctatc gagtcgagta 1981 cgccaagagc gggcgcgcct cttgcaagaa atgcagcgag agcatcccca aggactcgct 2041 ccggatggcc atcatggtgc aggtgcgggc cgctgtgcgg cgggg//

[0076] Merely as an illustration, when forward primer (SEQ. ID. NO.:1), corresponding to nucleotide positions 825 through 844 of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5; single underlined), and reverse primer (SEQ. ID. NO.:2; complementary sequence double underlined), corresponding to nucleotide positions 890 through 909 of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5), are employed to amplify the nucleic acids in the tissue sample, an amplification product of 85 bp length is produced, hence the designation of “85 bp allele”. Similarly, the “97-bp allele” is characterized by an 18-fold CA dinucleotide repeat sequence 5′-cacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacaca-3′ (SEQ. ID. NO.:7) of 36-bp length inserted between positions 845 and 869 of the Ogura reference sequence (SEQ. ID. NO.:5), this produces a 97-bp length fragment when (SEQ. ID. NO.1) and (SEQ. ID. NO.:2) are employed as a primer pair or set to amplify the genomic DNA. However, other suitable PARP-specific primer sequences can be used to detect the presence or absence of (SEQ. ID. NO.:6), i.e., the 85-bp allele, or (SEQ. ID. NO.:7), i.e., the 97-bp allele, as long as the forward primer sequence selected corresponds to a sequence entirely 5′ to nucleotide position 846 of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5), and the reverse primer sequence selected is complementary to a sequence entirely 3′ to nucleotide position 869 of(SEQ. ID. NO.:5). TABLE 2 Preferential transmission of PARP allele 85 to affected but not to unaffected offspring. Alleles Affected Offspring^(a) Unaffected Offspring^(b) (bP) t nt % t p-value t nt % t p-value 85 65 29 69 0.0002 25 50 33 0.004 93 23 33 41 0.18 21 20 51 0.87 95 12 15 44 0.56 16 3 84 0.003 97 17 40 30 0.002 30 19 61 0.11

[0077] In contrast, the 97 bp allele of PARP might be protective, as it was preferentially not transmitted to affected offspring (transmission:non-transmission=17:40, p=0.002)(Table 2).

[0078] Similar TDT analyses of HLXI alleles, using an intronic dinucleotide repeat within this gene, yielded no evidence for association with SLE. Transmission data of 7 HLXI alleles to affected offspring from 129 heterozygous Caucasian parents are summarized in Table 3; no significant difference from the expected random distribution was found (the chi-squared for genotype-wise TDT=11.35, p=0.88). TABLE 3 HLX1 alleles are not associated with susceptibility to SLE. Alleles Affected Offspring (bp) t nt % t 168 9 8 53% 166 10 9 53% 164 8 11 42% 162 17 18 49% 160 30 30 50% 158 39 32 55% 152 16 21 43%

[0079] The contrasting TDT results of these two candidate genes, PARP and HLXI demonstrate that PARP is a susceptibility gene for SLE within the linked 1q41-q42 region.

[0080] The foregoing examples being illustrative but not an exhaustive description of the embodiments of the present invention, the following claims are presented.

1 7 1 22 DNA Homo sapiens 1 gattccccat ctctctttct tt 22 2 20 DNA Homo sapiens 2 aaattgtggt aatgactgca 20 3 24 DNA Homo sapiens 3 ttcacacaag ttccagcttc cctt 24 4 24 DNA Homo sapiens 4 tgctgtctct gtttctttct gacc 24 5 2085 DNA Homo sapiens 5 tttagggatg atatagttgt caacccagag atggcatgat catgcctttt gacttggtca 60 ttctctaagt aaaactttta tttgttccat catattttcc acttattctg tttaccttca 120 aaatatcttt tttttttttt tttgagacag ggtcacactg tcacccaggc tagagtccag 180 tggcactatc atggctcacc acagcctcaa ccttcagggc tcaggtgatc ctcccacttc 240 agcctcccga gtagatggga ctacaggcac ctgccaccac ccccagctaa tttttgtaga 300 gacaaggttt tgccatgttg tccaggctgg tcttgaactc ctgggctcaa gggatccggc 360 cacctcagcc tcccaaagtg ctaggattat aggcatgagc cactgtgccc agcctacctt 420 caacgtatct aactggttac taacttttag gattcggcct atgtctcaca accttcttgc 480 ttactcaaca tccttgtctc ttaagccact agcttcttct ctatggttaa cactttttat 540 gagttttatt catctgctta tttttcttat cctctatacc agaattgaat attttcaaat 600 aaagcacact catgttacaa tctttgaaat ggaaaaaaaa aatgcatagg attagaaaag 660 aaaccaattt taataaacta tattttgaag tatagttcta tattaaacaa caagatctag 720 gccaggtgca gtggctcatg cctgtaatcc cagcaatttg ggaagtcgag gtgggaggat 780 tgcttgaggc caggggttca agaccagcct gggcaacatg gagagattcc ccatctcttt 840 ctttacacac acacacacac acacacacaa aatatctgat agcaacaggt gcagtcatta 900 ccacaatttc gagtagtgat gagcttaata atatttcgag ttatcaccaa caactgtaaa 960 ctaacatgaa aacgtctgtg atgactattg cccacaaagt cacaggtact gctaatactc 1020 ctggtatttg tagtaaattc ataataaagg aaatgctagg tttcagttgg tattttgtcc 1080 cgacggtctg tggacggcag gttagaacgc ccgtccaagc caggagggtg gacctagcac 1140 tgcagggtcc acctcgggcc aatcaactat attcccgagg cgggggcctg cgcttcccgg 1200 acccagctgc cctcagggga gagaggacac acttaagagt ttggggccgg cgtggtagct 1260 catgcccctg atcccagcac ttcgggaggc tgaggcgtga agatcacttg tagcaggagt 1320 ttgagaccag tctagccaac ttggcgagac cctgtcccta aaaaaaattt ttttttaatt 1380 agccagttgt ggtgagcgcc tgtagtccca gctactcggg aggctgaggt gggaggatcg 1440 ctgggctcag gagttccaga ctgcagtgag ccatgatggc ggcactgcac tccagcgcgg 1500 tgagactcag tctcaaaaat aaaaggggga ggggttgggg gtaaaattag ttgtgaaatc 1560 aagtaagact tcctgggaca gaacaatcaa aggggtggcg ccgggtcctc caaagagcta 1620 ctagctcagc ccaagccccg cctcggcccc cagggcagcg gccgcagagc tccacccggc 1680 aggcgcccgg gaaactccgc cccccggccg gcagggcgcg cgcccgccgg ccccgccccg 1740 tggacgcggg ttccgtggcg ttcccgcggc caggcatcag caatctatca gggaacggcg 1800 gtggccggtg cggcgtgttc ggtgcgctct ggccgctcag ccgtggcggc tgggtgagcg 1860 cacgcgaggc ggcgaggcgg caagcgtgtg tttctaggtc gtggcgtcgg gcttccggag 1920 ctttggcggc agctagggga ggatggcgga gtcttcggat aagctctatc gagtcgagta 1980 cgccaagagc gggcgcgcct cttgcaagaa atgcagcgag agcatcccca aggactcgct 2040 ccggatggcc atcatggtgc aggtgcgggc cgctgtgcgg cgggg 2085 6 24 DNA Homo sapiens 6 cacacacaca cacacacaca caca 24 7 36 DNA Homo sapiens 7 cacacacaca cacacacaca cacacacaca cacaca 36 

We claim:
 1. A genetic testing method for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a human subject, comprising: a) collecting a tissue sample from a human subject; b) amplifying nucleic acids from said tissue sample to obtain amplification products, said nucleic acids comprising a genomic sequence of human chromosome 1 between microsatellite markers D1S2860 and D1S213; and c) detecting in the amplification products the presence or absence of a twelve-fold CA dinucleotide repeat sequence consisting of (SEQ. ID. NO.:6), wherein said CA dinucleotide repeat sequence is located in the genomic sequence upstream from a PARP transcription start site, corresponding to nucleotide positions 846 through 869 of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5), and wherein the presence of said CA dinucleotide repeat sequence is diagnostic of SLE in a subject having SLE symptoms or indicates a genetic predisposition to develop SLE in a subject not presenting SLE symptoms.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting in the amplification products the presence or absence of an eighteen-fold CA dinucleotide repeat sequence consisting of (SEQ. ID. NO.:7), wherein said eighteen-fold CA dinucleotide repeat sequence is located in the genomic sequence upstream from a PARP transcription start site, between nucleotide positions 845 and 869 of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5), and wherein the absence of said CA dinucleotide repeat sequence is diagnostic of SLE in a subject having SLE symptoms or indicates a genetic predisposition to develop SLE in a subject not presenting SLE symptoms.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue sample is a blood sample.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein an oligonucleotide primer is used in amplifying said nucleic acids.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said primer has a nucleotide sequence GAT TCC CCA TCT CTC TTT CTT T (SEQ. ID. NO.1 ) or a fragment thereof at least 18 nucleotides long, or AAA TTG TGG TAA TGA CTG CA (SEQ. ID. NO. 2) or a fragment thereof at least 18 nucleotides long.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein an oligonucleotide primer comprising nucleotide sequence GAT TCC CCA TCT CTC TTT CTT T (SEQ. ID. NO. 1) or a fragment thereof at least 18 nucleotides long, is used in amplifying said nucleic acids.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein an oligonucleotide primer comprising nucleotide sequence AAA TTG TGG TAA TGA CTG CA (SEQ. ID. NO. 2) or a fragment thereof at least 18 nucleotides long, is used in amplifying said nucleic acids.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein said oligonucleotide primer is labeled with a fluorescent dye.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said dye is SYBR Green I, YO-PRO-1, thiazole orange, Hex, FAM or TET.
 10. A genetic testing kit for detecting in a human subject a genetic susceptibility to SLE, said genetic testing kit comprising: an oligonucleotide primer set comprising at least one forward primer corresponding to a PARP-specific nucleotide sequence of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5), about 15 to about 30 nucleotides in length, and having a a PARP-specific sequence of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5) entirely 5′ to nucleotide position 846 of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5); and said primer set comprising at least one reverse primer, about 15 to about 30 nucleotides long, and being complementary to a PARP-specific sequence of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5) entirely 3′ to nucleotide position 869 of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5), such that a detectable PARP-specific amplification product can be produced in a PCR reaction mixture when genomic DNA containing a PARP gene is present; and instructions for using the primer set for detecting in a human subject a genetic susceptibility to SLE.
 11. The genetic testing kit of claim 10, comprising: an oligonucleotide primer set comprising at least one forward primer comprising nucleotide sequence GAT TCC CCA TCT CTC TTT CTT T (SEQ. ID. NO.1) or a fragment thereof at least 18 nucleotides long, or at least one reverse primer comprising AAA TTG TGG TAA TGA CTG CA (SEQ. ID. NO.2) or a fragment thereof at least 18 nucleotides long.
 12. A genetic testing method for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a human subject, comprising: a) collecting a tissue sample from a human subject; b) amplifying nucleic acids from said tissue sample to obtain amplification products, said nucleic acids comprising a genomic sequence of human chromosome 1 between microsatellite markers D1S2860 and D1S213; and c) detecting in the amplification products the presence or absence of an eighteen-fold CA dinucleotide repeat sequence consisting of (SEQ. ID. NO.:7), wherein said eighteen-fold CA dinucleotide repeat sequence is located in the genomic sequence upstream from a PARP transcription start site, between nucleotide positions 845 and 869 of (SEQ. ID. NO.:5), and wherein the absence of said CA dinucleotide repeat sequence is diagnostic of SLE in a subject having SLE symptoms or indicates a genetic predisposition to develop SLE in a subject not presenting SLE symptoms.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the tissue sample is a blood sample.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein an oligonucleotide primer is used in amplifying said nucleic acids.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said primer has a nucleotide sequence GAT TCC CCA TCT CTC TTT CTT T (SEQ. ID. NO. 1) or a fragment thereof at least 18 nucleotides long, or AAA TTG TGG TAA TGA CTG CA (SEQ. ID. NO. 2) or a fragment thereof at least 18 nucleotides long.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein an oligonucleotide primer comprising nucleotide sequence GAT TCC CCA TCT CTC TTT CTT T (SEQ. ID. NO. 1) or a fragment thereof at least 18 nucleotides long, is used in amplifying said nucleic acids.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein an oligonucleotide primer comprising nucleotide sequence AAA TTG TGG TAA TGA CTG CA (SEQ. ID. NO. 2) or a fragment thereof at least 18 nucleotides long, is used in amplifying said nucleic acids.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein said oligonucleotide primer is labeled with a fluorescent dye.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said dye is SYBR Green I, YO-PRO-1, thiazole orange, Hex, FAM or TET. 